Millennial-owned cafe raises nearly $200K in crowdfunding investments

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Citizens Cafe, an Australia-inspired coffee shop based in NYC, hopes to raise $5 million to fuel national expansion.

Chipotle CEO reveals 5 strategies to combat Q4 earnings miss

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Growth in digital sales was the highlight of the quarter, growing 177.2% and accounting for 49% of sales.

Can Everytable's new franchise model cut racial inequality?

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Everytable CEO Sam Polk discusses how his latest operations idea — the Social Equity Franchise —removes barriers to business ownership for Black and Latinx…

Former Bareburger CMO launches NotGrubhub

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

January 27, 2021

Former NYC restaurant operators have launched a website to drive guests to restaurants only offering first-party ordering.

Starbucks on slow path to recovery, COO stepping down

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Although sales fell short of Wall Street's expectations, Q1 earnings of 61 cents per share topped estimates of 55 cents per share but declined 22.8…

Restaurant sales, traffic not so merry during holiday season

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

January 26, 2021

Although restaurants across the world have been doing their best to pivot operations by expanding digital and contactless services, traffic and sales are still…

2 industry leaders looking to invest in the 'next restaurant leader'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Dave Pace, board member of Red Robin and former CEO of Jamba Inc., and Andy Pforzheimer, a co-founder of the Barcelona and Bartaco brands, have come together…

Fast casuals debuting healthy menu options

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

California-based brands Rubio's and Fatburger are offering vegetarian options, and Freebirds, based in Austin, has debuted cauliflower rice. Juice It Up has…

Capriotti's, Wing Zone execs give us the why behind the merger

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

January 5, 2021

Las Vegas-based Capriotti's Sandwich Shop has acquired Wing Zone, a fast casual brand based in Atlanta.

Schlotzsky’s testing 2 drive-thru formats

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Schlotzsky's has designed two drive-thru models to focus heavily on off-premise orders.

Contactless ordering forcing restaurants to adopt 9 tech strategies in 2021

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Contactless ordering is not only here to stay but is forcing restaurants to embrace nine specific technologies and strategies.

Why NYC's Sweet Chick rebranded to fast casual concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Sweet Chick, a full-service brand created seven years ago in Brooklyn by New York native, restaurateur and entrepreneur John Seymour, has a new name and has…

The 2021 menu battle: Comfort food vs healthier options

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Menu trends experts from Panera Bread, Buffalo Wild Wings, Luna Grill, Culinary Tides, Qdoba and Pure Green predict the coming year's top menu trends.

Sweetgreen revving up sales via drive-in concept

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Calling it an "updated, healthy version of the traditional drive-thru," Sweetgreen said the drive-in will feature tech-enabled ordering as well as an…

Modern Market gets 'Honest' about pizza

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Operating out of a Modern Market in Broomfield, Colorado, the delivery-only concept comes from the chefs behind Modern Market, a 26-unit healthy fast casual…

Meet the inaugural class of WILD-certified brands

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

FastCasual is honoring fast casual brands dedicated to ensuring that women have a seat at the leadership table.

Shake Shack on the digital track

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

December 16, 2020

Shake Shack is testing delivery in Miami through its app via an exclusive partnership with Uber Eats. The pilot program is the first time Shake Shack has…

Hoots CEO on decision to franchise now: 'Why not?'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Sal Melilli, CEO and creator of Hoots,

Jimmy John's rolls out DoorDash Self-Delivery

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

December 2, 2020

Atlanta-based Jimmy John's is the first chain to test DoorDash's latest product offering, Self-Delivery, which allows restaurants to list their stores on the…

Clean Juice adds soup to the menu

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

December 1, 2020

Pure Green, Veggie Grill and Wow Wow have added winter-inspired menu items.